News digest 31 December 2025

Admin of the NAM
1 day ago
6 min read

Release of political prisoners on 13 December

We are grateful to U.S. President Donald Trump, Mr. Coale, and Mr. Smith for their effective efforts in securing the release of 123 political prisoners on 13 December.

We deeply pleased by the release of Viktar Babaryka. We also glad to see Maria Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak, and Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, free again. We especially happy about the release of Pavel Seviarynets, as well as the freedom of many others.

It is crucial that we continue our struggle for the release of all political prisoners, for the end of repression in our country, and for democratic change in Belarus.

Crucial meetings and activities

On 10 December, a meeting took place between Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management and Cecilia Dalman Eek, Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and Rapporteur on Democratic Belarus, during her visit to Poland. The discussion focused on the key challenges faced by Belarusians abroad, particularly in relation to legalisation and residency procedures, as well as the work of Belarusian democratic institutions.

Special attention was paid to the impact of transnational repression by the Lukashenka regime, including lengthy document procedures, passport expirations during application processes, bank account blockages, and the lack of protection from the Belarusian state. Pavel Latushka also highlighted cases of extraterritorial persecution of Belarusians living in Poland. The outcomes of the visit will be reported to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, contributing to increased international awareness and support for Belarusian society.

It is worth noting that the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe extends the Mandate of Belarusian Democratic Forces Delegation for 2 years.

Early in the morning on 18 December, a large group of released Belarusians arrived in Warsaw. More than one hundred Belarusian women and men, freed from Lukashenka’s prisons and forcibly expelled abroad, came to the Polish capital from Ukraine. Among them were Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak, Aliaksandr Feduta and Marina Zolotava. Some of the former political prisoners continued on to Vilnius, including Pavel Seviarynets and Uladz Labkovich.

At the Belarusian Solidarity Center in Warsaw, the arrivals were welcomed by relatives, friends, fellow activists, volunteers, journalists, politicians, and diplomats. Those who came personally to greet the released prisoners included Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Artsiom Brukhan, Speaker of the Coordination Council, Adam Halacinski, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs for cooperation with Belarusian democratic forces, Michal Zawiasa, Deputy Director of the Eastern Europe Department of the Polish MFA, and Miguel Berger, Ambassador of Germany to Poland.

Pavel Latushka expressed his support for the former prisoners and thanked the United States, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, as well as numerous countries, organizations, and volunteers who contributed to their release, evacuation, reception, and further relocation to the EU. Assistance to the released Belarusians was organized through a broad joint effort of civil society initiatives and democratic institutions, coordinated with the Mission of the Democratic Forces in Ukraine, representatives of the Cabinet, and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with significant ongoing support from Poland and Lithuania.

Also, on 18 December, Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, held a meeting at the Polish Office for Foreigners with Andrzej Karpiak and department heads responsible for the legalisation of foreigners. The discussion focused on accelerating the legalisation of released Belarusian political prisoners who plan to remain in Poland.

Pavel Latushka emphasized the need to quickly coordinate the submission of applications for international protection, ensure faster review procedures, and take into account the special situation of released individuals, including the lack of documents and the need for social assistance. The sides agreed to maintain active communication on these issues.

On 19 December, Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, addressed the children of Belarusian political prisoners and repressed families at the festive event “Yalinka at the Museum of Free Belarus”, wishing that all families could be together, ideally in Belarus, and share smiles and happiness during the holidays.

Held for the third year, the event gathers children of political prisoners with the support of the National Anti-Crisis Administration. The program included a performance by the theater studio “Kupalinka”, introductions to traditional Belarusian Kolyadki customs, festive treats, and gifts for the children.

Pavel Latushka thanked all who made the gathering possible, highlighting the support of Flanders, represented by Matthias De Moor, as well as Libereco, the Belarusian Association of Political Prisoners “Da Voli”, and the National Anti-Crisis Administration.

Lukashenko’s Statements Submitted as Evidence to the ICC

The National Anti-Crisis Management has submitted an official request to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to review public statements made by Alexander Lukashenko during the so-called All-Belarusian People’s Assembly.

In his speech, Lukashenko effectively confirmed the forced deportation of political prisoners, denying them the possibility to return to Belarus, refusing to issue passports, and labeling them as “enemies.” Pavel Latushka, Head of the NAM emphasized that these statements are not mere rhetoric but serve as additional evidence of a deliberate state policy of persecution, deportation, and forced displacement of civilians — acts that constitute crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute.

“Lukashenko publicly and step by step builds the evidential basis against himself. Our task is to properly document it and submit it where crimes are judged, not applauded,” stated Pavel Latushka. The NAM will continue submitting materials to the ICC to ensure that no crimes against Belarusians remain without legal scrutiny.

Analytical and reading materials:

1. The text is about Pavel Latushka’s meeting at the Czech Embassy in Warsaw, where he highlighted ongoing repression in Belarus, called for the release of all political prisoners, emphasized the need for EU unity and support for democratic change, and urged holding Lukashenko accountable for crimes against humanity.

2. Pavel Latushka Submitted an Appeal to the Polish Financial Supervision Authority Requesting Clarifications Regarding the Blocking of Mobile Banking Applications for Belarusians by Polish Banks.